Crowd favorites Shimazi Youth, emerged the winners in the boys match after beating Maweni United from Malindi by two goals to one within regulation time. Cedrick Asmani netted the first goal for Shimanzi Youth giving the home team an early lead at 35th minute. Safari Juma scored the second goal at 45th minute to seal the win for Shimanzi Youth. Okwaro Dennis scored the consolation goal for Maweni United at 74th minute.
Christine Nanjala, Coach Shimanzi Youth had this to say, “We are very happy to have won the title this round. We lost it last season, but today is our happy day. The boys have been training so hard focusing on the top spot. We are not stopping at this because our eyes are set in the national finals. We will continue our trainings as we prepare for the national finals.”
Changamwe Ladies on the other hand, clinched the top spot in the girls’ category after beating Malindi’s Solwogidi one goals to nil, thanks to Issa Hadwa last minute header.
Joyce Hamisi a player at Changamwe Ladies, had this to say, “It was a challenge to play on the tuft under floodlights because it was our first time ever to play under such conditions. Our opponents were tough as well but we managed to get a goal. Our win today is a great motivation to the team and we are determined to excel in the national finals.”
The winners each received a cash reward of KES 200,000 and have booked spots in the National finals set for June this year. Already, Kajiado’s Al Ahly and Kitale Queens from Rift Valley, Bishop Njenga Girls and Lugari Blue Saints from Western, Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza as well as Super Solico and St Mary’s Ndovea from Eastern have booked their tickets for the national finals as well. The runners-up will also pocket KES 100,000 each and there will also be other individual prizes for the best players